Centrotec Set

[skids]

Is this item discontinued? I am getting a CXS ( to satisfy my new addiction), and the bits are confusing the crap out of me. What the best set to start myself out?

Thank you!

 

[Brice Burrell]

The Centrotec sets have been limited production runs and they sell out fast. No telling when the next run will be, I wouldn't expect to see one in the near future.

 

[skids]

The Centrotec sets have been limited production runs and they sell out fast. No telling when the next run will be, I wouldn't expect to see one in the near future.

Thanks! Might be a little much for me anyway, but as I look at all the bits I would want individually it adds up quick!

 

[erock]

If you have a lot of bits (non festool) , then check out the Bit Holder BHS 65 with Collet (492648).  You can use all the non Festool bits with this holder.

I bought it when I picked up my CSX.

Or if you are that addicted to Festool and really want a Centrotec set, keep your eyes open on Ebay.  They go for $400 plus.

Eric

 

[Jaybolishes]

Give the festoolstore a call.  They had one left when I got one a couple months ago.  Doubt they have it still but at $365  with shipping its worth a try.

 

[skids]

If you have a lot of bits (non festool) , then check out the Bit Holder BHS 65 with Collet (492648).   You can use all the non Festool bits with this holder.

I bought it when I picked up my CSX.

Or if you are that addicted to Festool and really want a Centrotec set, keep your eyes open on Ebay.  They go for $400 plus.

Eric

So this bit allows me to use all regular bits? I suppose I am not against using the centrotec system if this drill pans-out and becomes my go-to. But the damn bits are pricey (little surprise there) and I really like the systainer system. I suppose thats no reason to spend the $400 on a set that I may not use all the pieces in it, but none of these decisions are rational! I also love that screwdriver set, but to own that without having it in a container seems silly to me, not sure how I would organize it since I am on the go with my projects alot.

 

[peter halle]

The holder referenced will allow you to use standard wire detent hex shank (1/4") bits and will lock them in place.

Peter

 

[semenza]

Hi skids,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Check these theads for info on some additional Centrotec compatible offerings made by Atlas and Snappy (through Woodcraft). I have some of them as well as some Festool bits. Together they allow me to go Centrotec for about 90% of what I do. It is a very nice quick change set up.

Snappy

Atlas in Canada

Atlas in the USA

Seth

 

[wubears71]

It's too bad the set is not a regular item as it goes with me everywhere and my bits stay so organized.  I get more complements on the set than anything else directly related to tools when people see me with it.

 

[vrasilla]

I just got one from toolsforworkingwood.com and looks like they're out too now. When you add up what you get in the set individually it's a no brainer. There's one on Ebay right now going for more than full price.

 

[gresults]

Ya I'm the idiot trying to win the one on Ebay, after I was unable to find a set last time I saw one on ebay I was not going to let another one get away from me, what is sad is I emailed the place you purchased yours from and never got a response., I had already started putting a set together on my own but figured I can sale off what I have purchased that is in the set to offset the extra expense.

I wished I had more time to make phone calls, but pretty much stuck on computer most of time so easier for me.

 

[skids]

I am finding a one-shot way to get all the bits I need is a complete PIA with Festool. I want the range of wood boring drillng bits, preferably with the bit having the ability to be removed from the Arbor. Brad points are a nice to have but for the work I do not a necessity. I full-well plan on wacking these bits around and possibly drilling into (by mistake) something they shouldn't, so having the ability to replace bits from arbor is a great feature.  The twister bits are my preference but don't come in anything over 10mm, which is small.

If I am going to have a Festool drill I want to take advantage of the Centrotec system to it's fullest and the Snappy bits don't truly do it and they throw the balance of the drill off if you ask compared to the Festool bits.

Any suggestions on an all around selection of Festool bits or anything I am missing here is welcome. Right now I have it basically narrowed to the Imperial set and the Forstner set, which when all is said and done is as much as the freakin Centrotec Set!!! [mad]

 

[vrasilla]

I am finding a one-shot way to get all the bits I need is a complete PIA with Festool.

you're not missing anything IMO.  it is a PIA.  it's almost comical the amount of time and money we're willing to spend in oder to save time and money!  the centrotec set that was on ebay sold for $126 over retail plus shipping.  I wish I'd of bought a couple more of these when I had the chance.  i just got a T-18 and seems like one of the last centrotec sets out there so I'll consider myself lucky to have the one I got.  I use a 15.6v panasonic and have the drill sargeant bag from duluth trading which isn't available anymore and I can't understand why because it's such a great bag to keep all you bit indexes and accesories in.  That setup served me well but one night while in my shop/office while enjoying the festool comemorative stein I bought the T18 on an impulse then after receiving that I just had to have the centrotec set.  So now $1050.00 later here it is.  the ROI?  it's gonna take alot of seconds saved over manually chucking up my panasonic which I must admit I'm very fast at.  I suppose if it's psychologically uplifting it'll translate to greater customer satisfaction and higher referral close rates(yeah, that's it)...  Or I could just be sick in the head like my wife says!

 

[skids]

I am finding a one-shot way to get all the bits I need is a complete PIA with Festool.

you're not missing anything IMO.  it is a PIA.  it's almost comical the amount of time and money we're willing to spend in oder to save time and money!  the centrotec set that was on ebay sold for $126 over retail plus shipping.  I wish I'd of bought a couple more of these when I had the chance.  i just got a T-18 and seems like one of the last centrotec sets out there so I'll consider myself lucky to have the one I got.  I use a 15.6v panasonic and have the drill sargeant bag from duluth trading which isn't available anymore and I can't understand why because it's such a great bag to keep all you bit indexes and accesories in.  That setup served me well but one night while in my shop/office while enjoying the festool comemorative stein I bought the T18 on an impulse then after receiving that I just had to have the centrotec set.  So now $1050.00 later here it is.  the ROI?  it's gonna take alot of seconds saved over manually chucking up my panasonic which I must admit I'm very fast at.  I suppose if it's psychologically uplifting it'll translate to greater customer satisfaction and higher referral close rates(yeah, that's it)...  Or I could just be sick in the head like my wife says!

LOL...an excellent overall point..I found a work around that I can achieve at my own pace..I am going to get the liners for Centrotec set, and put them in a sys1 and build it at my leisure on my own. Sure I may pay more overall in the end, but I WON"T end up with bits I don't use and I can do it as I go and get extra money.

What I am really hot-on is the screwdriver kits, the imperial bits and the ability to stack it with other systainers in one location. Right now I am all over the place grabbing pieces I need, the systainer system has been a blessing for a avid DIYer like me.

I have the Panny 15.6 as well, love love that drill, have been through 2 sets of batteries already. It's THE BEST larger drill out there if you ask me. But this little CXS will probably get more use overall.

 

[Alan m]

i dont get the point of the centotec system set like this.
i would love to have all my bits laid out like this ready to go. i dont see any speed impovement over normal hex bits.
today i was fitting fire doors. i had my 18 volt dewalt impact and drill. i had a forsnerbit (for drilling holes so i could plug them) in the drill and used the impact to drill and screw everything else.
i must have swaped  between 3 diferent screw driver bits and a vix bit. changing over and back only took  seconds. i spent longer picking up and putting down the bits that installing them in the impact.
the only way i could speed up would be to have more drills(which i do but didnt bring with me
i dont see a return on investment with the set . at the end of the day we all love festool but we buy them because they make us money. i couldnt see the centrotec system saving any time

 

[GhostFist]

If you have a lot of bits (non festool) , then check out the Bit Holder BHS 65 with Collet (492648).   You can use all the non Festool bits with this holder.

I bought it when I picked up my CSX.

Or if you are that addicted to Festool and really want a Centrotec set, keep your eyes open on Ebay.  They go for $400 plus.

Eric

The BHS 65 is a piece of crap, save your money and use the Jacobs chuck.  buy centrotec as you need

 

[Jaybolishes]

I agree, the centrotec system isn't really much faster pulling out bits and putting them in, but the real value is everything you'll ever need is sorted neatly and right there.  The metal the bits are made out of is extremely durable.  I don't think there is any other bit that can compare as far as hardness and longevity, they are almost indestructible.  I love the kit to death though, the centrotec set and my cxs are such a time and space saver simply because those two systainers encompass every need.  No more searching through four dewalt bit holders, and three Milwaukee bit holders saying where the heck is that thing?  There's room for all my other bits too.  I never have felt bad about the purchase, it gets used everyday practically and that makes the cost way more than worth it.

 

[skids]

i dont get the point of the centotec system set like this.
i would love to have all my bits laid out like this ready to go. i dont see any speed impovement over normal hex bits.
today i was fitting fire doors. i had my 18 volt dewalt impact and drill. i had a forsnerbit (for drilling holes so i could plug them) in the drill and used the impact to drill and screw everything else.
i must have swaped  between 3 diferent screw driver bits and a vix bit. changing over and back only took  seconds. i spent longer picking up and putting down the bits that installing them in the impact.
the only way i could speed up would be to have more drills(which i do but didnt bring with me
i dont see a return on investment with the set . at the end of the day we all love festool but we buy them because they make us money. i couldnt see the centrotec system saving any time

I don't think it's as much about speed as it is about choice..For I like a wide array of bits in one place, when I have stuff scattered in different locations I sometimes forget I owned it. Then I discover OHHHHHHH I had that tool 6 months AFTER a job I could have used it on.

 

[skids]

I agree, the centrotec system isn't really much faster pulling out bits and putting them in, but the real value is everything you'll ever need is sorted neatly and right there.  The metal the bits are made out of is extremely durable.  I don't think there is any other bit that can compare as far as hardness and longevity, they are almost indestructible.  I love the kit to death though, the centrotec set and my cxs are such a time and space saver simply because those two systainers encompass every need.  No more searching through four dewalt bit holders, and three Milwaukee bit holders saying where the heck is that thing?  There's room for all my other bits too.  I never have felt bad about the purchase, it gets used everyday practically and that makes the cost way more than worth it.

Again, (and maybe I am wrong here) but I don't think the Centrotec system is about speed at all, thats a side benefit. My understanding of what differentiates it, is the bits engage the transmission of the drill. Regular jacobs don't do that..I don't know maybe it's in my head, but when I demoed the CXS I used snappy bits, regular bits, and then centrotecs. The Centrotecs fit ALOT nicer, drilling felt smoother, and the drill maintained it's totally awesome balanced feel more. Maybe I am splitting hairs, but I like the Centrotec system and LOVE the idea (as you said above) of having them all in one place. Got a sys1 with the colored containers did the same for my screws and LOVE it.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Have been away from the forum for a week out at WIA'12-Pasadena.  Got back a bit ago.  This morning, I was at Eagle Tools in Los Angeles and he has either 1 or 2 left of the Centrotec Installer's Kit.  He ships and is a great guy... call Jesse at 323-999-2909.  Raúl works with him and is the Festool guy.